Dependence (2)

Reliance upon God or upon others. Dependence on God for help with spiritual and physical needs arises out of an awareness of human helplessness, though dependence may be wrongly directed. People may look to others for encouragement and support, but over-dependence is not commended.

Dependence arising from a sense of helplessness

Physical helplessness

In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.

See also ; ; ;

Spiritual helplessness

; ; ;

Dependence on God encouraged

God is to be trusted

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;

God is a refuge

Psalm 46:1 ESV

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

See also ; ;

God can help those who depend on him

Hebrews 13:6 ESV

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

See also ; ; ;

God will help those who depend on him

Luke 11:13 ESV

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

See also ; ;

Examples of failure to depend on God

; ; ; ; ; ;

Dependence on God for physical help

Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah.

See also Hezekiah; the men of Judah

Asa:

;

David; two blind men; Mary; Paul

Dependence on God for spiritual needs

Childlike dependence is necessary for those who would enter God’s kingdom;

See also ; ; ;

Dependence on God expressed in prayer

Psalm 5:2 ESV

Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

See also ; ; ; ;

Examples of those crying out in dependence on God

the Israelites in Egypt; Job in his suffering; the people of Jerusalem; Jeremiah; Jonah from within the fish; the tax collector in the temple; the church praying for Peter; the Corinthians praying for Paul

Misplaced dependence

Dependence on surrounding nations

Jeremiah 2:18 ESV

And now what do you gain by going to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? Or what do you gain by going to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates?

See also ;

Dependence on false gods and religions

Psalm 40:4 ESV

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

See also ; ;

Dependence on human strength and resources

;

See also ; ; ;

Dependence on sinful behaviour

;

The futility of misplaced dependence

;

See also ; ; ; ;

A proper dependence on others is commended

Human help can strengthen

Galatians 6:2 ESV

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

See also

Examples of a right dependence on others

a priest’s support for an unmarried sister

Support for the poor and needy:

;

Achish found David to be a reliable soldier; Uriah and Zechariah were reliable witnesses; Reliable teachers are a blessing to the church.